Thurrock Trailblazer Evaluation 2015/16

Progression for the Cultural Champions
“The training has been fantastic, I’ve learnt transferable skills and it is great
for my CV - but we don’t need more of the same next year. I’d like to take
it to the next level.”
Jade Caton, Cultural Champion, East Tilbury Primary School
The programme team are in discussions with ROH Bridge about potential
Specialist Leaders in Cultural Education (SLICE) models. There is real
interest amongst this year’s Cultural Champions in a tailored learning
programme that recognises their learning. There is certainly a great deal
of ‘read across’ in the areas that have been explored this year with the
standards for school leadership seen in the National College for Teaching
and Leadership NPQ modules, both at middle (NPQML) and senior
management level (NPQSL). 19 In particular areas around leading teaching,
managing systems and processes, leading change for improvement, and
‘closing the gap’ are a very good fit with the materials that have already
been developed as part of the Cultural Champions CPD.
Cultural Partners exchanging ideas for best
practice at a Trailblazer development day
Photography. Molly Boughtwood
Leading the way - school improvement through cultural learning
As already highlighted, developing leadership and reflection around
cultural learning can make a valuable contribution to the quality of overall
teaching and learning, leadership and management, personal development
and behaviour as defined by Ofsted.
Many of the Cultural Champions were sceptical about the purpose of
evaluation and action research - some were openly hostile to the idea. At
19 NCTL (2014). (Date Accessed: 11/10/2016). Professional development for school leaders,
National College for Teaching and Leadership. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications
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